Royal Center Man Faces Charges of B-Felony Aggravated Battery

Formal charges have been filed against Paul A. Burke of Royal Center in Pulaski Circuit Court. Burke faces charges including Aggravated Battery as a Class B felony after he allegedly attempted to throw a hazardous liquid chemical on a police officer during a traffic stop.

A Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Dana Candlish of Kokomo on June 22, but when the officer pulled the vehicle over, he noticed the passenger – later identified as Burke – open his door and set something outside of the vehicle. When the officer detained Burke and began examining the container, Burke reportedly grabbed the Styrofoam cup and threw it at the officer. Fortunately, he missed, and the chemical began to bubble and smoke on the pavement.

A trooper with the Indiana State Police tested the liquid in the cup and it was identified as anhydrous ammonia, which is used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and is extremely hazardous. Candlish allegedly told police that she was paid by Burke to drop him off at the CFS Co-Op.

Burke now faces charges of Aggravated Battery as a Class B felony, Disarming a Law Enforcement Officer as a Class C felony, Theft as a Class D felony, and two Class A misdemeanor charges of Resisting Law Enforcement and Illegal Storage and Transportation of Anhydrous Ammonia. His bond was initially set at $40,000 surety.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges in court on July 12, and appeared for his pre-trial conference on Monday, but that conference has been rescheduled for Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. ET.